Blue Cave, Green Cave & Lopud Beach small group Speed boat Tour

The Adriatic is the star here. This four-hour speedboat trip combines glowing caves, open-water swimming, a look at Dubrovnik from the sea, and time on sandy Šunj Beach. I especially like the mix of active stops and easy relaxation, plus the included snorkel gear, drinks, and pool noodles.

I also like the small-group setup, with no more than 18 people, and the choice of a morning or afternoon departure. The main catch is important: you must swim to enter the Blue Cave, and rough seas can force the crew to change the route.

Key points before you book

• The Blue Cave is reached by swimming: The boat anchors about 20 meters away because its entrance is too narrow for the speedboat.
• Dubrovnik looks different from the water: You pass below Lovrijenac Fortress and get a wide view of the Old Town walls.
• Šunj Beach adds welcome downtime: Its shallow seabed extends roughly 100 meters from shore, making it easier for children and less confident swimmers.
• Drinks are included: Expect water, soft drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.
• Cave conditions can change: Crowding, cold water, wind, and waves may shorten or alter the swimming stops.
• Captain quality matters: Guides such as Ivan, Leo, Luca, Marco, Mario, and Dora have received warm praise, but one serious complaint involved unsafe handling by a subcontracted crew.

Why this half-day trip works in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is often seen from stone streets and fortress walls. This tour gives you the other view: pale cliffs, open water, offshore islands, and the Old Town rising above the Adriatic.

At $84.65 per person, the price is fair if you want several activities in one outing. You are paying for a speedboat ride, four hours on the water, cave stops, snorkel equipment, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and a beach visit. You still need to buy lunch, and beach towels are not included.

The small-group limit helps. A boat carrying up to 18 people is more personal than a large excursion vessel, though the actual group can be smaller. One departure had only six people, which made moving around and getting help easier.

The boat has some covered space, useful when the sun is strong. At the front, certain boats may offer sunbed-style seating, but that is not something I would treat as guaranteed. Music can also be part of the atmosphere. Some people enjoy it, while one passenger found loud dance music tiring.

A sea-level view of Dubrovnik’s walls and Lovrijenac

The outing begins with views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town walls from the water. This is a good opening because the fortifications look especially dramatic from offshore, where you can see their height and position along the coast.

The route also passes beneath Lovrijenac Fortress, built on a steep cliff about 37 meters above the Adriatic. The skipper shares local legends and facts as you go. This part is brief, but it gives the ride some local character rather than treating the boat only as transport.

The speedboat itself is part of the fun. On calm water, the ride feels fast and lively. On a windy day, the same ride can become rough, with hard impacts over the waves. If you are sensitive to motion or have back problems, pay close attention to the forecast and ask about conditions before boarding.

Safety should come first. One very serious account described a subcontracted captain driving too fast in large swells, failing to respond properly to a request for a life jacket, and refusing to slow down after a passenger was thrown onto the deck. A refund was issued, but the complaint is still worth taking seriously. If the sea looks unsafe, speak up immediately and expect the captain to reduce speed or cancel the route.

Swimming into the Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is the trip’s headline stop. Natural light reflects through the water and creates the famous blue glow inside the cave. In good conditions, the effect can be striking, especially when you are floating in the cool, clear water rather than looking at it from a boat.

Here is the practical point that deserves bold print: the speedboat cannot enter. It anchors about 20 meters from the opening, and you swim the rest of the way. The entrance is small, so you may need to pass beneath the rock at the mouth of the cave.

That makes this a poor choice if you expected a boat-access cave or do not feel comfortable swimming in open water. The snorkel masks and breathing tubes help you look below the surface, and pool noodles are available for extra support. Still, you need enough confidence to leave the boat and reach the entrance.

The scheduled stop lasts about 40 minutes, though time in the water can be affected by boat traffic, sea conditions, and the number of people waiting to enter. The Blue Cave can become crowded, particularly during the busiest part of the day. Your captain may try to avoid the worst congestion, but this is a popular attraction, not a private cove.

The water may also feel cold, especially outside the hottest summer period. An October outing was praised for clear, pristine water, but colder conditions can shorten your swim. Bring a towel, since one is not supplied, and protect phones or cameras from spray.

Three green caves, a canyon and the pleasure of exploring

The next part is described as the Three Green Caves, with two caves where sunlight creates an emerald glow and a canyon-like passage carved through the cliffs. Other descriptions also refer to Dark Cave and Passage Cave, so the exact sequence and names may vary according to the route and conditions.

This is less polished than a ticketed cave attraction. The skipper remains on the boat, and you make your own way through the water with the supplied mask and snorkel. One passage is narrow, and reaching a further opening can require passing beneath the rocks. You should only attempt that if you are comfortable and the crew says conditions are safe.

The reward is variety. One cave may offer colored light, another a rocky tunnel, and another a simple sheltered place to swim. You are not just looking at scenery from a seat. You are moving through the water and choosing how active you want to be.

The planned stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a swim and a look around, but not a long cave expedition. Crowds can also change the experience. If the main green cave is busy, the captain may use another nearby cave instead. That can be disappointing if you have one exact cave in mind, but it is often a sensible way to keep the trip moving.

Do not expect guaranteed swimming at every cave. On a cool or rough day, the crew may replace a stop or keep you aboard. One outing used an alternate site because the sea was too choppy for the planned green cave. The company says poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, but conditions may also result in a modified trip while the boat is already underway.

Šunj Beach gives the trip a slower ending

After the caves, the boat heads to Šunj Beach on the south side of Lopud Island. This is the calmest part of the day. You get free time to swim, sit on the sand, eat, or simply dry off after the cave stops.

Šunj is known for its pale sand and unusually shallow water. The seabed stays shallow for about 100 meters from shore, which is helpful for children and anyone who prefers not to swim in deep water. It also gives you a change of pace after the more active cave sections.

The scheduled beach stop is about one hour, although the exact timing can change. Some outings have allowed much longer at the beach, while others have left passengers wishing for more cave time or more beach time. If you want a long, unhurried beach afternoon, this is not the right format. It is a beach stop within a four-hour boat excursion.

Facilities are limited compared with a full resort beach. You might find a waterfront bar or restaurant, ice cream, souvenirs, and simple food such as French fries. Beach chairs cost extra, and the sand has not always been perfectly clean. Lunch is not included, so plan to buy food at the beach or eat before departure.

I like the balance here. The caves provide the memorable activity, while Šunj lets you slow down before returning to Dubrovnik. Families may value the shallow water, while couples and solo visitors may prefer a drink and a quiet stretch of sand.

Drinks, equipment and what you should bring

The included refreshments add real value. The cooler may contain bottled water, sparkling drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa. Captains such as Mario have been praised for keeping drinks flowing at each stop.

The exact selection can vary. One passenger described beer as the only alcoholic option available on that particular trip, while others enjoyed the local wine. If you do not drink alcohol, water and soft drinks are still provided.

Masks, breathing tubes, and pool noodles are included. The equipment is basic rather than premium, but it covers the essentials for looking beneath the surface and staying afloat. If you have a favorite mask, you may prefer to bring it, though the supplied gear is enough for most people.

Bring a beach towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry bag or waterproof case. Lunch is not included. You should also wear secure swimwear and footwear that will not slip easily on a wet boat or rocky entrance.

Guides can shape the whole day

The strongest experiences depend heavily on the captain. Ivan is repeatedly praised for being friendly, funny, attentive, and safety-minded. Leo has also been described as dependable and professional, while Marco received special praise for his humor, helpfulness, and care around the caves.

Luca, Mario, Dora, Tony, and Karuzo have also been singled out for warm service. These details matter because the caves require clear instructions. You need to know how to enter and leave the water, where to swim, and when rough conditions make a passage unsuitable.

The crew generally speaks English, and the tour is offered in English. Still, the meeting area at the pier can be confusing because several boats may load and unload close together. Allow a little extra time and confirm the boat name or crew instructions before boarding.

The tour uses subcontractors at times. Most accounts describe a pleasant, safe outing, but the severe complaint about one subcontracted crew means you should not ignore the operator’s safety standards. A captain who refuses to slow down in dangerous waves is not acceptable.

Who should book this speedboat tour?

I would choose this tour if you want several Dubrovnik highlights in one half-day and are comfortable swimming from a boat. It suits active families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who likes a fast ride followed by beach time.

It is especially useful when your schedule is tight. A four-hour outing gives you caves, island scenery, drinks, and a beach without taking the whole day. The morning or afternoon choice also makes it easier to fit around a walking tour of the Old Town.

I would hesitate if you cannot swim, dislike open-water access, or need a guaranteed cave route. The Blue Cave is not entered by boat, and the green caves may be changed or skipped in rough conditions. You should also avoid booking on a day when the sea forecast looks poor, since a speedboat in choppy water can be uncomfortable and, in extreme cases, unsafe.

Cancellation and practical value

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

The trip needs good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient bookings, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

At $84.65, I consider the tour good value when the full route operates. The included equipment and drinks reduce extra costs, and the boat lets you see several locations that would be awkward to reach independently. The value falls if rough water forces major changes, so check the forecast and understand the swimming requirement before paying.

Should you book the Blue Cave and Lopud tour?

Book it if you want a lively half-day on the Adriatic, enjoy swimming, and like variety more than a slow, formal sightseeing cruise. The Blue Cave can be beautiful, the green caves add a sense of exploration, and Šunj Beach gives you time to relax.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed itinerary, a quiet boat, or caves viewed without entering the water. The smartest approach is to book in settled weather, bring a towel and lunch money, and ask clearly where the boat will meet you. For the right person, this is one of the better ways to trade Dubrovnik’s stone streets for a few hours of clear water and island air.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Cave, Green Cave and Lopud Beach tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $84.65 per person.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. The tour offers both morning and afternoon options.

Does the speedboat enter the Blue Cave?

No. The boat anchors about 20 meters from the cave because the entrance is too small. You must swim to reach it.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel masks and breathing tubes are provided.

Are pool noodles available?

Yes. Floaters such as pool noodles are available on the boat.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks can include bottled water, soft drinks, natural juices, local beer, red and white wine, and grappa.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Are beach towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own beach towel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.